FIRE brigades from Mornington, Mount Eliza and Mount Martha and specialist Hazmat crews from Hallam battled to bring an industrial fire at Mornington under control this morning. Commander Paul Summons, who is based at Dandenong, said the fire at a scrap metal yard near the corner of Watt and Yuilles roads tore through piles of scrap metal three metres high, 20 metres long and five metres wide, from 9am, Friday 19 June. The blaze also damaged a seven-tonne excavator and generated so much dense, toxic black smoke that an advice warning was sent out to the community not to breathe…
Author: Stephen Taylor
SEARCHERS scouring dense bush in central Victoria for a missing autistic boy last week were supported by rescue dog Obi. The black Labrador – owned and trained by Andrew and Julie Cowan, of Somerville-based Search and Rescue Dogs Australia – used his exceptional air scenting skills to home-in on the area where Will Callaghan was found. His owners say Obi’s barking may have alerted human rescuer Ben Gibbs, who was close by, to push through “horrendous” vegetation and up the bank where he says he found the 14-year-old looking “angelic”. Will, who loves dogs, was standing up “trying to look…
A CHARITY set up as a social enterprise wants to open a trauma recovery and mental wellbeing centre on the Mornington Peninsula. The site could be a former hospital or a donated section of a large property. Enveco Health founder Moniquea Spiteri said the organisation had unsuccessfully “approached numerous foundations, applied for grants [which is] the usual process that not-for-profits do…”. “Seed funding and seed capital is the hardest to get [because] when it comes to backing innovation everyone is focused on technology start-ups or others doing the same thing,” she said. Generous philanthropists were hard to find. “We’ve been…
AUTISM crusader Bianca Jane Appleford has received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for “service to people living with autism”. The Rye resident, who has an autistic son, was previously honoured by being named Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Citizen of the Year in 2017 and Queen’s Baton-bearer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Ms Appleford founded Light-Up Autism Foundation in 2012 to introduce improved teaching aids into southern peninsula schools so students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and those with other learning difficulties, could more easily stay happy, and focused, in the mainstream system. The…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire denies it is using aerial drones to find private swimming pools in the lead-up to compulsory registration in November. The shire says drones may be used for vegetation inspections. A reference to the use of drones in the council’s 12 May Quarterly Report said drones were being used “to assist conducting formal inspections of land, which has reduced the risk to officers in navigating hazardous sites and eliminated the need to contract external providers … for aerial imaging”. Glenn Murphy told The News that he suspected drones were being used to find pools when his mother-in-law, who…
FISHERIES Victoria has no plans to ban catching spider crabs despite Rye pier having to be closed on the Sunday night 7 June because so many fishers were targeting the crabs and ignoring social distancing rules. Victorian Fisheries Authority director Dallas D’Silva said six fisheries officers inspected 200 catches over the long weekend and rated compliance rates as “high”. Environmentalists acknowledge bag limits of 30 crabs a person are legal, but say “esky loads” are being stored in cars with the same fisher returning to catch a “new” bag limit. They fear widespread “plundering” of the moulting crabs in their…
THE Mornington Peninsula is among the top six Victorian municipalities when it comes to the number of homeless people being forced to “sleep rough”. However, Mornington Peninsula Shire has reiterated that it is a problem the state government – not the council – should be fixing. The situation came to head last week when police and council staff used a bobcat to clear Rosebud camping ground of tents being used by the homeless. (“Homeless on a merry-go-round” The News 9/6/20). The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the shire had been trying to find alternative places for the campers to stay…
SHIRE officers have been given a rocket over the condition of the coastal path from Royal Beach and continuing behind Mornington Bowling Club to the Barkly Street roundabout. Cr Bev Colomb told the council’s 26 May meeting that the scenic and historic coastal path should be “brought back to a standard that allows access and safety for community use”. She successfully moved that this be done before the end of June. Adding to the blast, Cr Colomb insisted the officers report back before the end of July on the process they use to “make decisions that involve public community coastal…
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will extend its financial hardship policy until 31 August to help ratepayers hit hard by the coronavirus. This will apply to all rateable properties – not just primary residences – and is for debtors seeking relief. No interest will be charged on any outstanding balances until after that date. The council does not propose writing off any debts owing outside of requests for the waiving of interest. Debt will still be due and payable, but with greater flexibility offered on repayments. The council adopted the revised hardship policy moved by Cr Antonella Celi and seconded by…
IT was just like old times at Dromana Drive-In last week, with cars lining up at the gate and the movies ready to roll. The outdoor screens were back in business after emerging from the 10-week COVID-19 shutdown. Owner Paul Whitaker said six movies were scheduled on the three screens over the two sessions of the Thursday 4 June opening night. “It’s a really good feeling to be opening again,” he said after being closed since the last weekend in March. “We will open Thursday to Sunday as normal but, if demand is high, we could go to seven days…
By Stephen Taylor and Keith Platt POLICE intend to shut down the Rosebud camping ground being used by homeless people. Evictions began last week, with Mornington Peninsula Shire sending a truck and bobcat to clear rubbish from campsites. While the arrival of homeless people at the camping ground is an annual occurrence, the COVID-19 pandemic is being blamed for the number of campers being higher than normal. The mayor, Cr Sam Hearn says although the shire is trying to find alternative accommodation for the campers, it was a state government issue. He said the government was able to avoid responsibility…
A MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council investigations officer is compiling evidence to present to the police over a savage dog attack at Rye last week. Environment protection manager John Rankine said police could decide to issue a summons to the owner of the attacking dog and “determine which charges will be put to them”. “A decision regarding the future of the attacking dog will be made once the outcome of the prosecution is known,” Mr Rankine said. The move follows the savage attack on a boxer by what was described as an “American staffie” near the Rye pier, 10am, Sunday 31…
A WOMAN who trained as a nurse and a school teacher is the new minister at Mornington Uniting Church. The Reverend Joy Blamires arrived in early May after 15 months of the interim ministry of the Rev Chris Cohen. The St Marks posting is her first ministry. Ordained only two months ago she is the first woman to lead the church in Barkly Street which was established as a Presbyterian church in 1867. The Rev Blamires began her theological studies in 2014 while teaching English as a second language. She took up full time university study in 2018, adding that…
A BRUTAL dog attack at Rye on the weekend has left a family’s boxer pet with severe leg wounds, her owner traumatised and needing tetanus shots for bites to her hand, the offending dog’s owner also with lacerations to his hands – and a vet’s bill nearing $3000. Matt Hollard and wife Yvette Nicole Williams were still in shock yesterday (Monday) over the incident near Rye pier, 10am, Sunday 31 May, when one of two American Staffies passing by “broke free and bolted full steam at me and our dog, locking onto the upper part of her back leg”. Mr…
A MOTORIST who copped an $85 fine for parking in a space reserved for boat trailers at Safety Beach may have to pay up. Warren Renton said he had been unaware that the area near the Safety Beach boat ramp was off limits for vehicles not towing a trailer. He said the trailers-only car park at the boat ramp was more often than not empty during the week while parking spaces outside the shops opposite were in short supply (“Fine time not had by all” The News 26/5/20). The nearest side street has limited parking. Mr Renton, who lives at…
BORDER Watch officers have asked Mornington Yacht Club members to “look out for anything suspicious when [they are] out on the bay”. Club office manager Sarah Grant said the Border Watch officers appeared to be focusing on public boat ramps. “They were not after anything specific and they were in and out [of here] very quickly,” she said. The club regarded the advice as “general information for members”. The visit was part of a general sweep of the bay’s boat ramps. Officers handed out leaflets headed “Small craft border crime – Know the Flags” which said criminals “may attempt to…
THE state government has given $5 million towards the $22 million redevelopment of the ferry precinct at Sorrento. Nepean MP Chris Brayne said finance for the redevelopment – part of a $40 million upgrade to the Queenscliff to Sorrento ferry service – includes $16 million from Searoad Ferries and $1 million from Mornington Peninsula Shire. Half of the state government’s $5 million will go to Searoad Ferries for works in and around the terminal, including improved public amenities and access for visitors, and half to the shire for pedestrian and roadworks connecting it to Point Nepean Road. Work will start…
RETIREMENT village operator Ryman Healthcare says it scaled back plans for a multi-storey development in Kunyung Road, Mount Eliza, to more align with community views – not because of a lack of interest from potential buyers. Objectors are opposed to the retirement village being built on land they say should be zoned green wedge. Victorian development manager David Laing said the company in 2018 held four on-site community open days. “We were encouraged by the level of support we received at those open days, and we took on board constructive feedback from some close neighbours,” he said. One apartment building…
PENINSULA Grammar made 13 non-teaching roles redundant in a major staffing shake-up before this week’s resumption of the second term. The school has also abolished the position of deputy principal – wellbeing, held by Peter Ford. The cuts were foreshadowed last week by news that the Mt Eliza private school’s student numbers were being “greatly impacted by the global pandemic” (“Grammar cuts staff as pandemic bites” The News 19/5/20). Principal Stuart Johnston said that he had “made the difficult decision to commence a staff consultation process that will potentially impact” staff numbers. The 13 jobs lost were four in the…
Clarification (The News 2/6/2020): VETS on the Mornington Peninsula are regulated as to what they can and cannot do with stray animals. The Domestic Animals Act of Victoria stipulates that cats and dogs brought to vets as strays must be handed over to the council if the vet has not signed what is called an 84Y agreement. Vets working outside the agreement can be fined if they are caught checking an animal’s microchip or contacting its owners. Those within the agreement can retain, dispose of, or return cats or dogs to their owners. The veterinary clinic referred to in the…
VULNERABLE members of the community are “working off” unpaid fines rather than spiralling into depression at the mere thought of having to pay them, under a new Fines Victoria scheme. Peninsula Community Legal Centre – whose clients owe an average $12,000 in unpaid fines – provides free legal assistance to vulnerable people. It has branches at Rosebud, Frankston, and Pines. CEO Jackie Galloway said unpaid fines were “becoming an increasing problem in the community” and called for more health practitioners and organisations to take a sponsorship role. “Becoming a sponsor is important given the devastating psychological and financial toll COVID-19…
COPPING an $85 fine for parking in a space reserved for boat trailers has a Safety Beach resident seeing red. The trailers-only carpark at Safety Beach boat ramp is more often than not empty during the week if the bay is rough and no boats are out, whereas parking spaces outside the shops opposite are often full. The nearest side street has limited parking. Warren Renton said he had been a resident for about 10 years but, until last Friday, was “not aware that this area at the Safety Beach boat ramp is off limits for all vehicles not towing…
THREE Mornington Peninsula “hot spots” for vehicle collisions with wildlife, especially eastern grey kangaroos, are being assessed for a trial of so-called “virtual fencing”. Virtual fencing consists of devices mounted on posts being activated by approaching car headlights. The devices emit sounds and light which alert animals to approaching danger. Animals near or about to cross roads are repelled by the sound and blue and yellow strobe-type LED lights causing them to run away as vehicles approach. The devices placed at 25-metre intervals on both sides of the road run on solar powered batteries. Greens Bush Association is coordinating the…
THE Better Buses campaign has been hailed as Mornington Peninsula Shire’s “most successful advocacy and community engagement to date”. The shire’s Quarterly Community Report: January-March 2020 said the campaign backed a push by public transport users for better bus services across the peninsula of which about 82 per cent is not serviced by public transport (“Shire’s push for better bus services” The News 2/9/19). “We have been overwhelmed by the level of community support for our Better Buses campaign. About 92,500 people have engaged with us,” the shire’s innovation and advocacy executive manager Tania Treasure said in the report released…
SURFER Beau Telley’s fun day in the water ended before it started. Instead of riding waves at a point break near Flinders, he was running in panic to his car pursued by a swarm of European wasps which, mistakenly, blamed him for disturbing their nest, Sunday 10 May. On a day of particularly high tides the surf was surging over the beach and crashing against the foreshore vegetation – flooding the wasps’ nest and making them angry and intent on revenge. Telley said he had reached the bottom of the stairs to the beach, early afternoon, and was putting on…
SWIMMING pool and spa owners on the Mornington Peninsula have until Monday 1 June to register them with the council or they could be liable to fines of up to $1652. This follows the implementation of state laws to improve pool and spa safety throughout Victoria which came into effect last December. In Victoria, 27 children under five have drowned over the past 20 years – mostly in private pools and spas. The state coroner found that in at least 20 of these cases the safety barrier was non-compliant, and that this was likely to have played a role in…
THE battering ram called COVID-19 has placed enormous stress on staff at the Mount Martha-based Fusion Mornington Peninsula. Some staff are living “on-site” while others are working from home, juggling casework meetings on the phone or video platforms. Fusion centre manager Caitlin Swanton said over the past eight weeks staff had “needed to adapt to cater to young people in a way we never have before, nor did we imagine we would need to”. “It has been eight weeks since Victoria went into lock-down … since all non-essential trips out of the house were banned … since our schools closed,”…
EARLY financial modelling suggests Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s non-rate income could be down $6-$12 million this year depending on the duration of the COVID-19 restrictions. To help ease the shire’s financial pain, the mayor Cr Sam Hearn has opted to take a 20 per cent cut in his $90,000-plus allowance. CEO John Baker has also said he will take a pay cut. Cr Hearn said the shire was “continuing to monitor and make prudent budgetary decisions in response to the impacts” of the pandemic. “We are committed to leading from the top in managing the financial challenges of this crisis,”…
PROPERTY manager Nichols Crowder is lobbying Frankston and Mornington Peninsula councils to help landlords and tenants by deferring property rates and dropping marketing levies. Director Michael Crowder says councils, banks, utilities, insurers and governments “should be waiving or freezing payments – interest free – in line with the mandatory code-of-conduct”. “In this way the costs a [landlord] saves can be passed on directly to their tenants.” Mr Crowder wrote to the councils asking them to waive the marketing and promotional fund levy for commercial businesses. Mornington Peninsula Shire had not responded by Friday 1 May, but Frankston Council refused to…
A CHANGE in focus is allowing tasty and nutritious meals to be prepared for struggling families on the Mornington Peninsula through the COVID-19 shutdown. This has come about by having kitchen staff at the Somers Residential School Camp cook 350 meals a week for needy families in the district, rather than children who are usually staying at the now-closed camp. The meals are delivered to nominated schools and picked up by parents doing it tough for their evening meals. Camp principal Mark Warner said a “bright idea” from staffer Coralie Gibson to use the idle camp kitchen for community meals…